Chemical bottle for endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a storing section that stores a chemical, an opening provided in an upper surface, a concave portion formed in a first side face, and an inclined face that is formed at a face on an upper surface side of the concave portion and that inclines towards the upper surface side. The center of the concave portion is positioned so as to deviate from the central axis at the first side face.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.13/246,402 filed on Sep. 27, 2011, which is a continuation applicationof PCT/JP2011/063065 filed on Jun. 7, 2011 and claims benefit ofJapanese Application No. 2010-261090 filed in Japan on Nov. 24, 2010,the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a chemical bottle for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus that supplies a chemical to an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

When a chemical bottle is set in an insertion portion of an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus by inserting the chemical bottle thereinin an inclined manner, a stopper portion that is provided at an uppersurface of a storing section of the chemical bottle is opened by beingbroken by a cutting portion that is positioned at an inner part of theinsertion portion. As a result, a chemical that is inside the chemicalbottle is filled into a chemical tank of the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus through a conduit under its own weight.In this connection, for example, a concentrate of a disinfectantsolution to be used for disinfecting an endoscope or a buffer solutionof the disinfectant solution is filled inside the chemical bottle.

With respect to the process of setting the chemical bottle in theinsertion portion, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.2004-121832 discloses an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus inwhich two lever-type limit switches are provided in the insertionportion. According to this configuration, after the chemical bottle isinserted into the insertion portion, a first limit switch detects aposition of the chemical bottle immediately before the cutting portionis stuck into the stopper portion, and a second limit switch detects achemical bottle insertion completion position at which the cuttingportion opens the stopper portion of the chemical bottle.

The endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus disclosed in JapanesePatent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-121832 has aconfiguration such that a contact portion that is provided at a distalend of an arm portion of each lever-type limit switch contacts a sideface of the chemical bottle, and a switch state of the relevant limitswitch is switched from “off” to “on” as the result of the contactportion being pressed by the chemical bottle.

In this case, a configuration may also be considered in which a concaveportion is provided on a side face of a chemical bottle, and in which aposition of the chemical bottle is detected by a switch state beingswitched from “on” to “off” when a state is entered in which a contactportion of a limit switch is not pressed by the chemical bottle as aresult of the contact portion being fitted in the concave portion. Forexample, a configuration may also be considered that detects theaforementioned chemical bottle insertion completion position as a resultof a contact portion of a limit switch being fitted in the concaveportion.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above describedcircumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide achemical bottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus havinga configuration which enables easy withdrawal from an insertion portionof an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus without damaging a limitswitch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A chemical bottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatusaccording to one aspect of the present invention is a chemical bottlefor an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus that supplies achemical to an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus, that includes:a storing section that stores the chemical and that includes an uppersurface, a bottom surface facing the upper surface, a first side facethat connects the upper surface and the bottom surface, and a secondside face that connects the upper surface and the bottom surface andthat faces the first side face; an opening that is provided in the uppersurface and whose center is disposed further to a side of the secondside face than a center of the upper surface; a concave portion that isformed in the first side face; and an inclined face that is formed in aface on the upper surface side of the concave portion, and that inclinesto the upper surface side; wherein, a center of the concave portion ispositioned so as to deviate from a central axis along a directionconnecting the upper surface and the bottom surface at the first sideface.

A chemical bottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatusaccording to another aspect of the present invention is a chemicalbottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus that supplies achemical to an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus, that includes:a storing section that stores the chemical and that includes an uppersurface, a bottom surface facing the upper surface, a first side facethat connects the upper surface and the bottom surface, and a secondside face that connects the upper surface and the bottom surface andthat faces the first side face; an opening that is provided in the uppersurface and whose center is disposed further to a side of the secondside face than a center of the upper surface; and a concave portion thatis formed in the first side face; wherein: an area between the concaveportion and the upper surface has a configuration that is irreversiblydeformed or broken from the bottom surface side towards the uppersurface side; and a center of the concave portion is positioned so as todeviate from a central axis along a direction connecting the uppersurface and the bottom surface at the first side face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view that illustrates chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a spout portion of a chemical bottleshown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the direction of an arrow II in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view that illustrates an outline of a configuration forfilling a chemical into a chemical tank of an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus having an insertion portion into whichthe chemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatusshown in FIG. 1 are inserted.

FIG. 4 is a view that illustrates, in an enlarged manner, an areasurrounded by an alternate long and short dashed line IV in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view that schematically shows a state in which a contactportion of a limit switch shown in FIG. 3 contacts a chemical bottle foran endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus such that the contactportion is pressed and a switch state of the limit switch enters an “on”state.

FIG. 6 is a view that illustrates a modification example in which anotch is formed instead of a concave portion that is formed in thechemical bottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a view that illustrates a modification example in which a faceon a bottom surface side of a convex portion shown in FIG. 1 is formedas a curved face.

FIG. 8 is a view that illustrates a modification example in which theface on the bottom surface side of the convex portion shown in FIG. 1 isformed as a stepped face.

FIG. 9 is a view that illustrates a modification example in which theconcave portion shown in FIG. 1 is formed after a deformation portion ofa side face of a storing section of the chemical bottle for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus has been irreversibly or reversiblydeformed.

FIG. 10 is a view that illustrates a modification example in which theconvex portion shown in FIG. 1 is constituted by a member that isirreversibly deformed or broken from the bottom surface side to an uppersurface side of the chemical bottle for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a view that illustrates a modification example in which aconvex portion and a concave portion that are formed at a side face ofthe storing section of the chemical bottle for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 are provided in anadapter that is detachable with respect to the side face.

FIG. 12 is a view that illustrates a modification example in which anadapter is detachable with respect to a face on a bottom surface side ofa convex portion that is formed in a side face of the storing section ofa chemical bottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a view that illustrates a modification example in which theconvex portion and concave portion shown in FIG. 8 that are formed at aside face of the storing section of the chemical bottle for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 are provided in anadapter that is detachable with respect to the side face.

FIG. 14 is a view that illustrates a modification example in which theconvex portion and concave portion shown in FIG. 10 that are formed at aside face of the storing section of the chemical bottle for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 are provided in anadapter that is detachable with respect to the side face.

FIG. 15 is a view that schematically shows a state in which insertion ofa chemical bottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus intoan insertion portion of an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus hasstarted.

FIG. 16 is a view that schematically shows a state in which a firstlimit switch provided in the insertion portion shown in FIG. 15 detectsthe chemical bottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a view that schematically shows a state in which a secondlimit switch provided in the insertion portion shown in FIG. 15 detectsthe chemical bottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 18 is a view that schematically shows a state in which, whenwithdrawing the chemical bottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus from the state shown in FIG. 17, a connection portion that isconnected to a convex portion is broken by a guide plate of the firstlimit switch.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view that illustrates an example of the outerappearance of an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 20 is a view that illustrates an example of the internalconfiguration of an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are described hereunder withreference to the drawings. It should be noted that the drawings areschematic ones in which the relationship between the thickness and widthof each member, the thickness ratios of the members, and the like aredifferent from those of actual members. Naturally, the drawings includeportions in which the dimensional relationships and ratios are differentfrom one another.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a plan view that illustrates chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of aspout portion of a chemical bottle shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from thedirection of an arrow II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a view that illustrates anoutline of a configuration for filling a chemical into a chemical tankof an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus having an insertionportion into which the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 are inserted.

Further, FIG. 4 is a view that illustrates, in an enlarged manner, anarea surrounded by an alternate long and short dashed line IV in FIG. 3.FIG. 5 is a view that schematically shows a state in which a contactportion of a limit switch shown in FIG. 3 contacts a chemical bottle foran endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus such that the contactportion is pressed and a switch state of the limit switch enters an “on”state.

As shown in FIG. 1, chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 that supplies a chemical to anendoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 (see FIG. 3) include, forexample, two chemical bottles 101 and 102.

The chemical bottle 101 and chemical bottle 102 are integrallyconstructed so that positions of bottom surfaces 101 t and 102 t and ofupper surfaces 101 u and 102 u of the chemical bottles 101 and 102,respectively, match by means of a band-like member 104. Hence, thechemical bottles 101 and 102 are integrally inserted into an insertionportion 80 of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 (both areshown in FIG. 3).

In this connection, naturally the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 may be constituted by a singlebottle or three or more bottles.

The chemical bottle 101 principally includes a storing section 101 a inwhich a chemical is stored, an opening 101 p (see FIG. 2) that isprovided in the upper surface 101 u of the storing section 101 a, astopper portion 105 that is provided in the opening 101 p and that canbe broken by an unshown cutting portion of the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus, and a cylindrical spout portion 101 bthat is provided so as to surround an outer circumference of the stopperportion 105 at the upper surface 101 u of the storing section 101 a andalso protrude from the upper surface 101 u.

For example, a concentrate of a disinfectant solution is stored insidethe storing section 101 a. Peracetic acid or the like may be mentionedas one example of the disinfectant solution. The diameter of the opening101 p is set to a diameter such that, after insertion into the insertionportion 80 (see FIG. 3) that is described later, a chemical that isstored in the storing section 101 a is discharged under its own weight.

As shown in FIG. 3, a central axis C1 of the opening 101 p along aconnection direction R is positioned further to a side of a side face101 at (not shown) that faces a side face 101 as, described later, thana central axis C2 of the chemical bottle 101.

A seal portion 107 is provided at an outer circumferential edge portionat a protruding end of the spout portion 101 b. When the chemical bottle101 is inserted in the insertion portion 80 of the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1, the seal portion 107 seals the spoutportion 101 b with respect to a conduit 62 (see FIG. 3), which isdescribed later, by contacting an inner surface portion of the conduit62 in a watertight and airtight manner with an elastic force.

The chemical bottle 102 principally includes a storing section 102 a inwhich a chemical is stored, an opening 102 p (see FIG. 2) that isprovided in the upper surface 102 u of the storing section 102 a, astopper portion 105 (see FIG. 2) that is provided in the opening 102 pand that can be broken by the aforementioned cutting portion, and acylindrical spout portion 102 b that is provided so as to surround anouter circumference of the stopper portion 105 at the upper surface 102u of the storing section 102 a and also protrude from the upper surface102 u.

For example, a buffer solution of a disinfectant solution is stored inthe storing section 102 a. The buffer solution has a function ofincreasing a penetration force of the disinfectant solution with respectto an endoscope, and also of making the disinfectant solution last for alonger time. The diameter of the opening 102 p is set to a diameter suchthat, after insertion into the insertion portion 80 (see FIG. 3) that isdescribed later, a chemical stored in the storing section 102 a isdischarged under its own weight.

As shown in FIG. 3, a central axis C1 of the opening 102 p along theconnection direction R is positioned further to a side of another sideface 102 at that faces a side face 102 as, described later, than acentral axis C2 of the chemical bottle 101.

A seal portion 107 is provided at an outer circumferential edge portionat a protruding end of the spout portion 102 b. When the chemical bottle102 is inserted in the insertion portion 80 of the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1, the seal portion 107 seals the spoutportion 102 b with respect to the conduit 62 (see FIG. 3), which isdescribed later, by contacting an inner surface portion of the conduit62 in a watertight and airtight manner with an elastic force.

Further, among four side faces that connect the upper surface 102 u andthe bottom surface 102 t of the storing section 102 a of the chemicalbottle 102, a convex portion 110 and a concave portion 103 are providedin the side face 102 as on a side that faces a limit switch 81 (see FIG.3), described later, when the chemical bottle 102 is inserted in theinsertion portion 80 (see FIG. 3) that is described later. In thisconnection, the convex portion 110 is formed by the concave portion 103being formed in the side face 102 as, and a first inclined face 102 ukthat connects the upper surface 102 u and the side face 102 as beingformed with a first length R1 along the connection direction R betweenthe upper surface 102 u and the side face 102 as.

As shown in FIG. 4, with respect to the side face 102 as, in theconnection direction R connecting the upper surface 102 u and the bottomsurface 102 t, the convex portion 110 is provided so as to be a secondlength R2 in the connection direction R at a position separated by thefirst length R1 from the upper surface 102 u by means of the firstinclined face 102 uk. Note that a top portion 110 c of the convexportion constitutes a part of the side face 102 as.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the concave portion 103includes, in the connection direction R, a bottom surface 103 t, a face103 s on the upper surface 102 u side that is a second inclined face,and a face 103 v on the bottom surface 102 t side, and is provided at aposition that is further towards the bottom surface 102 t side than theconvex portion 110 in the connection direction R.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, a face 110 s on the bottom surface 102t side of the convex portion 110 that is the second inclined face, inother words, the face 103 s on the upper surface 102 u side of theconcave portion 103, is formed in an inclined manner with respect to theupper surface 102 u side towards the top portion 110 c of the convexportion 110.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the face 110 s (103 s) is formedas a linear face that inclines to the upper surface 102 u side towardsthe top portion 110 c of the convex portion 110 so that an angle θformed between the face 110 s (103 s) and the bottom surface 103 t ofthe concave portion 103 is an obtuse angle.

Further, at the side face 102 as, the convex portion 110 and the concaveportion 103 are positioned so as to be further to a side of another sideface 102 ar that is contiguous with the side face 102 as than thecentral axes C1 and C2 along the connection direction R of the storingsection 102 a and the opening 102 p. Alternatively, the convex portion110 and the concave portion 103 may be shifted to be positioned on theopposite side across the central axes C1 and C2.

In this connection, among four side faces that connect the upper surface101 u and the bottom surface 101 t of the storing section 101 a of thechemical bottle 101, the convex portion 110 and the concave portion 103may also be provided in the side face 101 as that is on a side thatfaces the limit switch 81 (see FIG. 3), described later, when thechemical bottle 101 is inserted in the insertion portion 80 (see FIG. 3)that is described later. In this case, the limit switch 81 has aconfiguration that contacts the chemical bottle 101.

The chemical bottle 101 and the chemical bottle 102 are formed with thesame size and the same shape, except that the convex portion 110 and theconcave portion 103 are formed in the chemical bottle 102. Naturally,the chemical bottle 102 may be formed with a different shape and adifferent size to the chemical bottle 101.

Further, other than the fact that the chemical bottle 102 includes theconvex portion 110 and the concave portion 103, the shape of thechemical bottle 102 may be the same as a conventional chemical bottle.If the chemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus100 are constituted by a plurality of bottles, the convex portion 110and the concave portion 103 may be provided in the side face of thestoring section of any one of the bottles or may be provided in aplurality of the bottles.

In this connection, when storing a volatile chemical agent, such asperacetic acid, as shown in FIG. 2, a configuration may be adopted inwhich a hole portion 105 h is formed in the stopper portion 105 so thatvapor can be released therefrom.

The chemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus100 configured in this manner are inserted into the insertion portion 80of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1contains a chemical tank 58 therein. The insertion portion 80 isprovided at a position above the chemical tank 58. The chemical bottlesfor an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 can be insertedinto the insertion portion 80 from the upper surface side.

Note that a configuration may also be adopted in which the chemicalbottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 can beinserted into the insertion portion 80 using an unshown cassette traythat can be drawn out from the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus1.

The insertion portion 80 has, at one end, an insertion slot 80 s thatopens to an outer surface of a front face that a user approaches in theendoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1. At the other end of theinsertion portion 80, the conduit 62 that allows the insertion portion80 and the chemical tank 58 to communicate is connected.

The insertion portion 80 is provided so as to be inclined downward fromthe one end side towards the other end side so that a chemical insidethe chemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus100 that are inserted into the insertion portion 80 can be filled intothe chemical tank 58 under its own weight through the conduit 62.

An unshown cutting portion is provided on the inner side on the otherend side of the insertion portion 80. The cutting portion opens theaforementioned stopper portion 105 of the chemical bottles for anendoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 that have been insertedinto the insertion portion 80.

The lever-type limit switch 81 is provided on the upper face of theinsertion portion 80. The limit switch 81 has an arm portion 81 a and acontact portion 81 b provided at a distal end of the arm portion 81 a.

Although the insertion portion 80 may include a plurality of limitswitches, when one limit switch is provided the structure is simplifiedand the cost of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 can bereduced.

The limit switch 81 is configured so that, when the contact portion 81 bcontacts the outer surface of the storing section 102 a of the chemicalbottle 102, the contact portion 81 b is pressed and the switch state ofthe limit switch 81 changes from “off” to “on”. The limit switch 81 hasa function that transmits a change in the switch state thereof to acontrol portion 70 (see FIG. 3).

More specifically, the limit switch 81 is constituted by a switch thatis configured such that when the contact portion 81 b is pressed as aresult of contact, the switch state switches to “on”, and when pressingof the contact portion 81 b ends, the switch state switches to “off”.Further, the limit switch 81 has a function that detects a position ofthe chemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus100 by transmitting a change in the switch state to the control portion70.

However, a limit switch may also be used that enters an “off” state whenthe contact portion 81 b is pressed and enters an “on” state when thepressing ends, or in which an electric current value differs between atime when the contact portion 81 b is being pressed and a time whenpressing of the contact portion 81 b has ended.

The limit switch 81 is provided in the upper face of the insertionportion 80 at a position such that the contact portion 81 b of the limitswitch 81 can contact the convex portion 110 formed in the side face 102as of the storing section 102 a of the chemical bottle 102.

The switch state of the limit switch 81 is “off” in both a state inwhich the chemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus 100 are not inserted into the insertion portion 80, and astate immediately after the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 have been inserted into theinsertion portion 80 through the insertion slot 80 s.

Further, when the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 are inserted as far as a positionthat is immediately before a position at which the above describedcutting portion provided in the insertion portion 80 is stuck into thestopper portion 105, as shown in FIG. 5, the switch state of the limitswitch 81 changes from “off” to “on” as a result of the contact portion81 b contacting against the convex portion 110 and being pressedthereby.

More specifically, the limit switch 81 detects a position of thechemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100immediately before the cutting portion is stuck into the stopper portion105. In this connection, the detection result is sent to the controlportion 70.

Further, at the position immediately before the cutting portion is stuckinto the stopper portion 105, the respective seal portions 107 providedat the protruding ends of the spout portions 101 b and 102 b of therespective chemical bottles 101 and 102 constituting the chemicalbottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 contactagainst the inner surface of the conduit 62 in a watertight and airtightmanner with an elastic force.

Further, at the position immediately before the cutting portion is stuckinto the stopper portion 105, after the switch state of the limit switch81 changes to “on”, movement in a withdrawal direction along theconnection direction R of the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 is locked by a lock portion 83 thatis described later.

When the chemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus 100 are inserted forward in the connection direction R fromthe position shown in FIG. 5 and are moved as far as a chemical bottleinsertion completion position at which the stopper portion 105 is openedas a result of the aforementioned cutting portion sticking into thestopper portion 105 by a predetermined amount, as shown in FIG. 4, thecontact portion 81 b passes over the convex portion 110 and is fittedinto the concave portion 103. Hence, since pressing of the contactportion 81 b by the chemical bottle 102 ends, the switch state of thelimit switch 81 changes from “on” to “off”.

In other words, the switch state of the limit switch 81 changes from“on” to “off” when the contact portion 81 b of the limit switch 81passes over the convex portion 110 from the upper surface 102 u side tothe bottom surface 102 t side.

As a result, the limit switch 81 detects the insertion completionposition of the chemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus 100. The detection result is sent to the control portion 70.

Further, based on the foregoing, the second length R2 (see FIG. 4) inthe connection direction R of the convex portion 110 as described aboveis set so as to equal a distance that the chemical bottles for anendoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 move inside the insertionportion 80 from the above described position immediately before thecutting portion is stuck into the stopper portion 105 to the insertioncompletion position. Alternatively, the position of the limit switch 81is set in conformity with the second length R2 of the chemical bottlesfor an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100.

In addition, when withdrawing the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 from the insertion portion 80 afterthe chemical has been filled from the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100, in a state in which the contactportion 81 b of the limit switch 81 is contacting the convex portion110, the contact portion 81 b passes over the convex portion 110 fromthe bottom surface 102 t side to the upper surface 102 u side along theface 110 s (103 s) and the top portion 110 c. Hence, when the contactportion 81 b is being pressed by the convex portion 110, the switchstate of the limit switch 81 changes from “off” to “on”, and when thecontact portion 81 b has passed over the convex portion 110, the switchstate of the limit switch 81 changes from “on” to “off”.

The endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 has the lock portion 83that uses a known lock arm that inhibits movement in a withdrawaldirection with respect to the insertion portion 80 of the chemicalbottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 after thechemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100have been inserted into the insertion portion 80 as far as theaforementioned position immediately before the cutting portion is stuckinto the stopper portion 105 that is shown in FIG. 5. Note that theconfiguration is such that even when locked by the lock portion 83, thechemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100can move forward in the insertion direction.

A plurality of level sensors 58 a to 58 d that detect, in incrementalsteps, the fluid volume of a chemical stored in the chemical tank 58 areprovided inside the chemical tank 58. Information regarding the detectedfluid volume of the chemical is transmitted from each of the levelsensors 58 a to 58 d to the control portion 70 provided inside theendoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1.

An end portion of a chemical recovery conduit 61 that is used when achemical inside the above described cleaning/disinfecting tank 4 isrecovered into the chemical tank 58, and an end portion of a chemicalconduit 64 that is used when supplying a chemical into thecleaning/disinfecting tank 4 from the chemical tank 58 are connected tothe chemical tank 58. A chemical pump 65 is interposed in the chemicalconduit 64.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the face 110 s on the bottomsurface 102 t side of the convex portion 110 that is formed on the sideface 102 as of the storing section 102 a of the chemical bottle 102, inother words, the face 103 s on the upper surface 102 u of the concaveportion 103, is formed in an inclining manner with respect to the uppersurface 102 u side towards the top portion 110 c of the convex portion110 so that an angle θ formed between the face 103 s and the bottomsurface 103 t of the concave portion 103 is an obtuse angle.

Therefore, when withdrawing the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 from the insertion portion 80 afterfilling of the chemical into the chemical tank 58 from the chemicalbottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 iscompleted, although conventionally a case has arisen in which, if theface 110 s (103 s) is formed as a face that is perpendicular to thebottom surface 103 t, the contact portion 81 b of the limit switch 81gets caught at the face 103 s and as a result, the arm portion 81 a ofthe limit switch 81 becomes damaged if the user attempts to withdraw thechemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100using force, according to the configuration of the present embodiment,because the face 110 s (103 s) is formed in an inclined manner withrespect to the upper surface 102 u side towards the top portion 110 c ofthe convex portion 110, the contact portion 81 b does not get caught atthe face 110 s (103 s).

Further, in the present embodiment, at the side face 102 as of thestoring section 102 a of the chemical bottle 102, the convex portion 110and the concave portion 103 are positioned further to a side of theother side face 102 ar that is contiguous with the side face 102 as thanthe central axes C1 and C2 along the connection direction R of thestoring section 102 a and the opening 102 p.

Therefore, the strength of the side face in which the concave portion isprovided of the storing section 102 a can be enhanced.

Hence, it is possible to provide the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 that have a configuration that canbe easily withdrawn from the insertion portion 80 of the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 without damaging the limit switch 81.

A modification example is described hereunder using FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is aview that illustrates a modification example in which a notch is formedinstead of the concave portion that is formed in the chemical bottlesfor an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

According to the present embodiment described in the foregoing, theconvex portion 110 is formed by forming the concave portion 103 in theside face 102 as of the storing section 102 a of the chemical bottle102. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and as shownin FIG. 6, naturally the convex portion 110 may be formed by forming anotch 103 in the side face 102 as at an area other than the convexportion 110.

Another modification example is described hereunder using FIG. 7. FIG. 7is a view that illustrates a modification example in which a face on abottom surface side of the convex portion shown in FIG. 1 is formed as acurved face. FIG. 8 is a view that illustrates a modification example inwhich a face on a bottom surface side of the convex portion shown inFIG. 1 is formed as a stepped face.

According to the present embodiment described in the foregoing, the face110 s on the bottom surface 102 t side of the convex portion 110, inother words, the face 103 s on the upper surface 102 u side of theconcave portion 103 is formed in an inclined manner with respect to theupper surface 102 u side towards the top portion 110 c of the convexportion 110 so that an angle θ formed between the face 103 s and thebottom surface 103 t of the concave portion 103 is an obtuse angle, andas shown in FIG. 4, the face 110 s (103 s) is formed as a linear face.

However, the present invention is not limited to the aboveconfiguration, and as shown in FIG. 7, the face 110 s (103 s) is notlimited to a linear face as long as the face 110 s (103 s) is formed inan inclined manner with respect to the upper surface 102 u side towardsthe top portion 110 c of the convex portion 110, and the face 110 s (103s) may also be formed as a curved face, or as shown in FIG. 8, may beformed as a stepped face.

Thus, even if the face 110 s (103 s) is formed as a curved face or astepped face, since the contact portion 81 b of the limit switch 81 doesnot get caught at the face 110 s (103 s) when withdrawing the chemicalbottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 from theinsertion portion 80, a similar effect as in the present embodiment canbe obtained.

Note that the shape of the face 110 s (103 s) is not limited to theabove described shapes, and naturally the face 110 s (103 s) may be ofany shape as long as the contact portion 81 b of the limit switch 81does not get caught on the face.

A still further modification example is illustrated using the FIG. 9.FIG. 9 is a view that illustrates a modification example in which theconcave portion shown in FIG. 1 is formed after a deformation portion ofa side face of the storing section of the chemical bottle for anendoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus has been irreversibly orreversibly deformed.

As shown in FIG. 9, a deformation portion 115 is provided in one part ofthe side face 102 as of the storing section 102 a of the chemical bottle102. The concave portion 103 is formed by the deformation portion 115being irreversibly or reversibly deformed by contact with the contactportion 81 b of the limit switch 81. More specifically, a configurationmay be adopted in which the face 110 s (103 s) that is a second inclinedface is formed after formation of the concave portion 103.

In this connection, the deformation portion 115 is constituted by amember with a weak mechanical strength compared to another area of theside face 102 as. More specifically, a part of the side face 102 as ofthe storing section 102 a is constituted by a thin walled portion thatis irreversibly deformed due to a thickness of a member constituting thestoring section 102 a being thinner than another area, or by a membercapable of reversibly deforming, such as rubber, or by a member capableof irreversibly deforming that is different to the storing section 102 aor the like.

A further modification example is described hereunder using FIG. 10.FIG. 10 is a view that illustrates a modification example in which theconvex portion shown in FIG. 1 is constituted by a member that isirreversibly deformed or broken from a bottom surface side of thechemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus to theupper surface side.

As shown in FIG. 10, the convex portion 110 formed in the side face 102as of the storing section 102 a may also be constituted by a member thatis irreversibly deformed or broken from the bottom surface 102 t side tothe upper surface 102 u side of the chemical bottle 102.

Thus, when withdrawing the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 from the insertion portion 80, sincethe convex portion 110 deforms or is broken if the contact portion 81 bof the limit switch 81 gets caught at the face 110 s (103 s), thecontact portion 81 b of the limit switch 81 does not get caught at theface 110 s (103 s). Hence, a similar effect as the present embodimentcan be obtained.

A further modification example is described hereunder using FIG. 11 toFIG. 14. FIG. 11 is a view that illustrates a modification example inwhich the convex portion and the concave portion that are formed in theside face of the storing section of the chemical bottle for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 are provided in anadapter that is detachable with respect to the side face. FIG. 12 is aview that illustrates a modification example in which an adapter isdetachable with respect to a face on a bottom surface side of a convexportion that is formed in the side face of the storing section of thechemical bottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a view that illustrates a modification example in which theconvex portion and the concave portion shown in FIG. 8 that are formedin the side face of the storing section of the chemical bottle for anendoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 are providedin an adapter that is detachable with respect to the side face.

Further, FIG. 14 is a view that illustrates a modification example inwhich the convex portion and the concave portion shown in FIG. 10 thatare formed in the side face of the storing section of the chemicalbottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1are provided in an adapter that is detachable with respect to the sideface.

According to the present embodiment as described above, the convexportion 110 and the concave portion 103 are formed in the side face 102as of the storing section 102 a of the chemical bottle 102. However, thepresent invention is not limited thereto, and as shown in FIG. 11,without providing the convex portion 110 and the concave portion 103 inthe side face 102 as itself, a configuration may be adopted in which, bymaking an adapter 150 in which the convex portion 110 and the concaveportion 103 are formed detachable with respect to the side face 102 as,the convex portion 110 and the concave portion 103 are provided in theside face 102 as after mounting the adapter 150 onto the side face 102as.

Further, the adapter 150 is not limited to an adapter having the convexportion 110 and the concave portion 103. For example, as shown in FIG.12, in a case where the face 110 s (103 s) on the bottom surface 102 tside of the convex portion 110 is formed perpendicularly with respect toa bottom surface 130 t of the concave portion 103, the adapter may be anadapter with a curved face 150 s that is detachable with respect to theface 110 s (103 s).

According to the configuration shown in FIG. 12, even when the face 110s (103 s) of the convex portion is formed perpendicularly with respectto the bottom surface 130 t, the curved face 150 s can be provided atthe face 110 s (103 s) by merely mounting the adapter 150 to the face110 s (103 s). Hence, a similar effect as that of the present embodimentthat is described above can be obtained.

Note that an adapter that is detachable with respect to the face 110 s(103 s) is not limited to the curved face 150 s, and may have a face ofany shape as long as the face is one at which the contact portion 81 bof the limit switch 81 does not get caught, such as an inclined facethat inclined to the top portion 150 c side or a stepped face.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the adapter 150 may be an adapter in whichthe face 110 s (103 s) on the bottom surface 102 t side of the convexportion 110 is formed as a stepped face as shown in FIG. 8 that isdescribed above. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the adapter 150 may be anadapter in which the convex portion 110 is configured to irreversiblychange shape or break from the bottom surface 102 t side of the chemicalbottle 102 to the upper surface 102 u side as shown in FIG. 10 that isdescribed above.

Note that the shape of the face 110 s (103 s) of the adapter 150 is notlimited to the above described shapes, and naturally the face may be anyshape as long as the face is one at which the contact portion 81 b ofthe limit switch 81 does not get caught.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 15 is a view that schematically shows a state in which insertion ofa chemical bottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus intoan insertion portion of an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus hasstarted. FIG. 16 is a view that schematically shows a state in which afirst limit switch provided in the insertion portion shown in FIG. 15detects the chemical bottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus.

FIG. 17 is a view that schematically shows a state in which a secondlimit switch provided in the insertion portion shown in FIG. 15 detectsthe chemical bottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus.FIG. 18 is a view that schematically shows a state in which, whenwithdrawing the chemical bottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus from the state shown in FIG. 17, a connection portion that isconnected to a convex portion is broken by a guide plate of the firstlimit switch.

In comparison with the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus according to the first embodiment shownin FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 that are described above, the configuration of thechemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus of thesecond embodiment differs in that a convex portion is connected througha connection portion to a chemical bottle. Hence, hereunder, only thispoint of difference is described, and components that are the same asthose in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbolsand a description of such components is omitted.

According to the present embodiment, an example is described in whichtwo limit switches are provided in the insertion portion 80 of theendoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1. Further, although theinsertion portion 80 appears horizontal in FIG. 15 to FIG. 18 tosimplify the illustration in the drawings, in fact the insertion portion80 is inclined towards the conduit 62 side from the insertion slot 80 s,similarly to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, two limit switches, namely, a first limit switch181 and a second limit switch 182, are provided on the upper surface ofthe insertion portion 80 of the endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus 1.

The first limit switch 181 has a guide plate 191 that is urged towardsthe inside of the insertion portion 80 by a pressurized spring 192. Whenthe guide plate 191 is pressed, a contact portion 181 b provided at adistal end of an arm portion 181 a is pressed by the guide plate 191 andthus the switch state of the first limit switch 181 changes.

The second limit switch 182 includes an arm portion 182 a and a contactportion 182 b. The switch state of the second limit switch 182 changeswhen the contact portion 182 b is pressed.

The chemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus100 are inserted into the insertion portion 80 in which the two limitswitches 181 and 182 are provided in this manner.

In this connection, the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 according to the present embodimentdiffer from the first embodiment in the respect that a protrudingportion 190 constituting a convex portion is provided through aconnection portion 199 to the side face 102 as of the storing section102 a of the chemical bottle 102.

The protruding portion 190 is detected by means of the first limitswitch 181 and the second limit switch 182. The protruding portion 190may be integrally provided to the storing section 102 a, or may beprovided as a separate member thereto. Further, the protruding portion190 may be provided on the side face 101 as of the storing section 101 aof the chemical bottle 101.

The connection portion 199 is constituted by a member that isirreversibly broken from the bottom surface 102 t side of the chemicalbottle 102 towards the upper surface 102 u side thereof. In thisconnection, the connection portion 199 may also be constituted by amember that is irreversibly deformed from the bottom surface 102 t sideof the chemical bottle 102 towards the upper surface 102 u side thereof.

Thus, when inserting the chemical bottle 102 on which the protrudingportion 190 is provided into the insertion portion 80, first, as shownin FIG. 15, the chemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus 100 are inserted through an unshown insertion slot 80 s.

Thereafter, when the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 are inserted further to a cuttingportion 69 side than the position shown in FIG. 15, as shown in FIG. 16,the protruding portion 190 pushes up the guide plate 191 against theurging force of the pressurized spring 192.

As a result, the contact portion 181 b is pressed and the switch stateof the limit switch 181 changes from “off” to “on”. Thus, the limitswitch 181 detects that the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 are in the process of beinginserted.

Subsequently, when the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 are inserted further to the cuttingportion 69 side than the position shown in FIG. 16, as shown in FIG. 17,the chemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus100 move as far as the insertion completion position at which thestopper portion 105 of each of the chemical bottles 101 and 102 isopened by the cutting portion 69.

At the insertion completion position, since the switch state of thesecond limit switch 182 changes from “off” to “on” as a result of thecontact portion 182 b being pressed by the protruding portion 190, thesecond limit switch 182 detects that the chemical bottles for anendoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 are at the insertioncompletion position.

Finally, after filling of the chemical from the chemical bottles for anendoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 to the chemical tank 58 iscompleted, the chemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus 100 are withdrawn from the insertion portion 80. In thiswithdrawing process, as shown in FIG. 18, the connection portion 199 isbroken as a result of the protruding portion 190 being caught by theguide plate 191. As a result, the protruding portion 190 collapses tothe spout portion 102 b side of the chemical bottle 102. At this time, aconfiguration in which the protruding portion 190 does not separate fromthe chemical bottle 102 is desirable since the protruding portion 190does not remain inside the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when withdrawing thechemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100from the insertion portion 80, as the result of being caught on theguide plate 191, the protruding portion 190 that is provided through theconnection portion 199 on the side face 102 as of the storing section102 a of the chemical bottle 102 collapses to the spout portion 102 bside because the connection portion 199 is broken.

Thus, when withdrawing the chemical bottles for an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 from the insertion portion 80, afterthe protruding portion 190 collapses, the chemical bottles for anendoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100 can be easily withdrawnfrom the insertion portion 80. Hence, it is possible to provide thechemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100having a configuration that can be easily withdrawn from the insertionportion 80 of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 withoutdamaging the limit switch 181.

Further, even if the chemical bottle 102 on which the protruding portion190 has collapsed is inserted again into the insertion portion 80, sincethe first limit switch 181 and the second limit switch 182 are notpressed by the collapsed protruding portion 190, the first limit switch181 and the second limit switch 182 do not enter an “on” state.

In this connection, even if a case is supposed in which the protrudingportion 190 is intentionally raised and inserted into the insertionportion 80 in a raised state, since the connection portion 199 isbroken, the protruding portion 190 will not press the guide plate 191.Conversely, the protruding portion 190 will be pressed by the guideplate 191 and will collapse again to the spout portion 102 side, andhence the first limit switch 181 will not enter an “on” state.

Therefore, even if a case arises in which an empty chemical bottle thathas been used once or a chemical bottle that can no longer be used inwhich only one of two chemicals remains due to some defect is mistakenlyinserted into the insertion portion 80, the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 immediately shows an error display,and thus the worker can immediately recognize that an incorrect chemicalbottle has been inserted. Further, even if the incorrect chemical bottlehas been inserted, the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 canbe safely stopped.

Note that the above described embodiments and modification examples canbe appropriately combined and used. For example, the concave portion 103shown in FIG. 6 and the curved face shown in FIG. 7 can be applied to asingle bottle. As another example, a bottle on which the protrudingportion 190 is provided instead of the convex portion 110 can also beapplied to the insertion portion shown in FIG. 3. The combinations arenot limited to these examples.

Hereunder, an example of the configuration of an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus having the insertion portion 80 intowhich the chemical bottles for an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus 100 according to the first and second embodiments are insertedis described using FIG. 19 and FIG. 20. FIG. 19 is a perspective viewthat illustrates the external appearance of an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus. FIG. 20 is a view that illustrates anexample of the internal configuration of the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 19, an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1includes, as principal parts, an apparatus body 2 and, on a top portionthereof, a top cover 3. The top cover 3 is connected in anopenable/closeable manner to the apparatus body 2 through, for example,an unshown hinge.

In a state in which the top cover 3 is closed on the apparatus body 2,the apparatus body 2 and the top cover 3 are fixed together by, forexample, a latch 8 that is arranged at a position facing both theapparatus body 2 and the top cover 3.

A detergent/alcohol tray 11 is arranged at an upper part of a left halfportion in FIG. 19, which is the front face in FIG. 19, to which anoperator of the apparatus body 2 approaches. The detergent/alcohol tray11 can be drawn out to the front of the apparatus body 2.

A detergent tank 11 a and an alcohol tank 11 b are housed in thedetergent/alcohol tray 11. The detergent tank 11 a stores a detergentthat is used when cleaning an endoscope. The alcohol tank 11 b storesalcohol that is used when drying an endoscope after cleaning anddisinfecting. Since the detergent/alcohol tray 11 can be drawn out tothe front of the apparatus body 2, it is possible to fill predeterminedliquids into the tanks 11 a and 11 b.

Two window portions 11 m are provided in the detergent/alcohol tray 11.The operator can check the remaining amounts of detergent and alcoholthat are stored in the tanks 11 a and 11 b, respectively, by means ofthe window portions 11 m. The detergent is a concentrated detergent thatis to be diluted to a predetermined concentration with tap water afterthe tap water has been filtered by an unshown water supply filter.

Further, the above described insertion portion 80 is provided at thefront of the apparatus body 2 at an upper part of a right half portionin FIG. 19. The above described chemical bottles 101 and 102 can beinserted into the insertion portion 80.

In addition, a sub operation panel 13 is arranged above the insertionportion 80 at the front of the apparatus body 2. The sub operation panel13 includes a display for displaying a cleaning/disinfecting time and aninstruction button for heating a disinfectant solution and the like.

A pedal switch 14 is arranged at the lower part of the apparatus body 2.When the operator depresses the pedal switch 14, the pedal switch 14opens the top cover 3 that is closed at the upper part of the apparatusbody 2 so that the top cover 3 opens in the upward direction from theapparatus body 2.

Further, a main operation panel 25 is provided on the upper face of theapparatus body 2, for example, adjacent to an end portion on the frontface side that the operator approaches. The main operation panel 25includes setting switches for entering settings with respect to theapparatus body 2 such as a cleaning/disinfecting operation start switchand a cleaning/disinfecting mode selection switch.

Further, a water supply hose connection port 31 is arranged on the topface of the apparatus body 2 at a position on a back face side that isopposite to the front face to which the operator approaches. A watersupply hose that is connected to a water tap (the water supply hose andwater tap are not shown in the drawings) for supplying tap water to theapparatus body 2 is connected to the water supply hose connection port31. In this connection, a mesh filter for filtering tap water may bedisposed on the water supply hose connection port 31.

Hence, as shown in FIG. 20, the endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus 1 has a configuration such that tap water can be suppliedthereto by connecting one end of a water supply hose 31 a to the watersupply hose connection port 31 of the endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus 1, and connecting the other end of the water supply hose 31 ato an external water tap 5.

As shown in FIG. 20, the water supply hose connection port 31 isconnected to one end of a water supply conduit 9. The other end of thewater supply conduit 9 is connected to a three-way electromagnetic valve10. A water supply electromagnetic valve 15, a check valve 16, and awater supply filter 17 are interposed in the water supply conduit 9 inthat order from the side of the water supply hose connection port 31.

The water supply filter 17 is configured as a cartridge-type filter, sothat the filter can be periodically replaced. The water supply filter 17removes contaminants and bacteria and the like in tap water that passesthrough the water supply filter 17.

The three-way electromagnetic valve 10 is connected to one end of afluid flow conduit 18, and switches communication of the water supplyconduit 9 and the fluid flow conduit 18 with respect to a water supplycirculation nozzle 24 by means of an internal valve. That is, the watersupply circulation nozzle 24 communicates with either one of the watersupply conduit 9 and the fluid flow conduit 18 by the switchingoperation of the three-way electromagnetic valve 10. Further, a fluidflow pump 19 that is a non-self-priming pump that has excellent liquidtransferring performance and that can transfer only a liquid isinterposed at the other end side of the fluid flow conduit 18.

One end of a circulation conduit 20 is connected to a circulation port56 arranged in the cleaning/disinfecting tank 4. The other end of thecirculation conduit 20 branches into two so as to communicate with theother end of the fluid flow conduit 18 and one end of a channel conduit21. The other end of the channel conduit 21 communicates with each airand water supply/forceps port 33. Further, although not shown in thedrawings, the other end of the channel conduit 21 also communicates withan unshown forceps raising port.

Partway along the channel conduit 21, a channel pump 26, a channel block27, and a channel electromagnetic valve 28 are interposed in that orderfrom the one end side thereof. Another end of a case conduit 30 that hasone end connected to a cleaning case 6 is connected to the channelconduit 21 between the channel block 27 and the channel electromagneticvalve 28. A relief valve 36 is interposed in the case conduit 30. Thechannel pump 26 is constituted by a self-priming pump that can transferboth a liquid and a gas at a higher pressure than a non-self-primingpump.

A detergent nozzle 22 is connected to one end of a detergent conduit 39.The other end of the detergent conduit 39 is connected to the detergenttank 11 a. A detergent pump 40 constituted by a high-pressureself-priming pump for lifting detergent from the detergent tank 11 a tothe cleaning/disinfecting tank 4 is provided partway along the detergentconduit 39.

The alcohol tank 11 b is connected to one end of an alcohol conduit 41.The alcohol conduit 41 is connected to the channel block 27 so as tocommunicate with the channel conduit 21 in a predetermined state.

An alcohol supply pump 42 constituted by a high-pressure self-primingpump for lifting alcohol from the alcohol tank 11 b to thecleaning/disinfecting tank 4, and an electromagnetic valve 43 areinterposed in the alcohol conduit 41.

One end of an air conduit 44 for supplying air from an air pump 45constituted by a self-priming pump that can transfer a gas is connectedto the channel block 27 so as to communicate with the channel conduit 21in a predetermined state. The other end of the air conduit 44 isconnected to the air pump 45. A check valve 47 and an air filter 46 thatis periodically exchanged are interposed at positions partway along theair conduit 44.

A switching valve 57 that is capable of being opened and closed isprovided in a first drain outlet 55 of the cleaning/disinfecting tank 4.By a switching operation of the switching valve 57, a cleaning solutionin the cleaning/disinfecting tank 4 can be drained to the outside of theapparatus or a disinfectant solution can be recovered from thecleaning/disinfecting tank 4 to the chemical tank 58.

The switching valve 57 is connected to one end of a drainage conduit 59whose other end is connected to and communicates with an unshown drainhose that is connected to an external drain outlet. A drain pump 60constituted by a non-self-priming pump is interposed in the drainageconduit 59. The switching valve 57 is also connected to one end of achemical recovery conduit 61. The other end of the chemical recoveryconduit 61 is connected to the chemical tank 58.

The chemical tank 58 is also connected to one end of a chemical supplyconduit 62 so that, as described above, a chemical, for example, adisinfectant solution, may be supplied thereto from the chemical bottlesfor an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 100. The other end ofthe chemical supply conduit 62 is connected to a cassette tray 12 in apredetermined state.

One end portion of the chemical conduit 64 is housed in a predeterminedstate inside the chemical tank 58. A suction filter 63 is provided atthe one end of the chemical conduit 64. The other end of the chemicalconduit 64 is connected to a disinfectant solution nozzle 23. Thechemical pump 65 that is constituted by a high-pressure self-primingpump for lifting the disinfectant solution from the chemical tank 58 tothe cleaning/disinfecting tank 4 is interposed at a position partwayalong the chemical conduit 64.

In this connection, as described above, for example, two ultrasoundtransducers 52 and a heater 53 are arranged below the bottom surface ofthe cleaning/disinfecting tank 4. Further, in order to adjust thetemperature of the heater 53, a temperature detection sensor 53 a isprovided at approximately the center of the bottom surface of thecleaning/disinfecting tank 4.

The heater 53 is used to heat the disinfectant solution that is storedin the cleaning/disinfecting tank 4 and that circulates within theapparatus to a predetermined temperature. The disinfectant solution hasa proper temperature at which its disinfection effect can be expectedthe most. The disinfectant solution heated to the predeterminedtemperature that is the proper temperature by the heater 53 caneffectively disinfect an endoscope and the respective conduits in theapparatus body 2.

Further, the temperature detection sensor 53 a detects the liquidtemperature of the disinfectant solution which is stored in thecleaning/disinfecting tank 4 and circulates in the apparatus, andtransmits the detection result to the control portion 70. The controlportion 70 performs control that drives and stops the heater 53 so as tokeep the disinfectant solution at the predetermined temperature on thebasis of the detection result from the temperature detection sensor 53a.

A power supply 71 which is supplied with electric power from an externalAC receptacle, and the control portion 70 which is electricallyconnected to the power supply 71 are provided inside the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1. The control portion 70 is suppliedwith various signals from the main operation panel 25 and the suboperation panel 13, and performs drive control of each of the abovedescribed pumps and electromagnetic valves and the like.

In particular, the control portion 70 includes a water supply conduitdisinfection program that, with respect to at least the inside of thewater supply conduit 9, performs known draining, disinfecting, andrinsing through the circulation conduit 20 and the channel conduit 21and also, with respect to at least either of tap water and adisinfectant solution inside the cleaning/disinfecting tank 4, executesa process to either recover the tap water or the disinfectant solutioninto the chemical tank 58 through the chemical recovery conduit 61 ordrain the tap water or the disinfectant solution from an external drainoutlet through the drainage conduit 59. The control portion 70 performsknown driving control with respect to each valve and each pump inaccordance with the water supply conduit disinfection program.

Further, the control portion 70 also includes an all conduitsdisinfection program that disinfects the inside of all of the conduitsin the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1, and an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting program that cleans and disinfects endoscopeconduits of an endoscope that is connected to the port 33 via a tube.

1. A chemical bottle for an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatusthat supplies a chemical to an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus, comprising: a storing section that stores the chemical andthat includes an upper surface, a bottom surface facing the uppersurface, a first side face that connects the upper surface and thebottom surface, and a second side face that connects the upper surfaceand the bottom surface and that faces the first side face; an openingthat is provided in the upper surface and whose center is disposedfurther to a side of the second side face than a center of the uppersurface; a concave portion that is formed in the first side face; and aninclined face that is formed in a face on the upper surface side of theconcave portion, and that inclines to the upper surface side, whereinthe concave portion is provided in an adapter that is detachable withrespect to the first side face.